The Amazon loophole

For several years, the Century participated in Amazon.com's affiliate program. By directing readers to the online retailer to buy copies of the books and music we review, we brought in a little extra revenue. But recently we've removed the Amazon links from our website. Some readers—who were glad for the chance to support us when they shopped at Amazon—have written to ask what's going on.

The reason for the change is that Amazon no longer offers the affiliate program in Illinois, where the Century offices are located. Why? Because last year the state passed a law requiring Amazon to collect sales tax from its Illinois-based customers—a move that found its rationale in the presence of Amazon affiliates here.